Throw means to make something move fast through the air by using your arm and hand. You do this with balls, stones, or other objects.
He can throw the ball far.
Please throw the paper in the bin.
Throw can also mean to quickly put or drop something somewhere without care or gently. It shows movement but less carefully.
She threw her coat on the chair.
He threw the keys on the table.
Throw can mean to make someone feel confused or surprised, so they do not know what to do next. It is used in a more abstract way.
The strange question threw me off.
Her smile threw him completely.
Throw can mean to organize or have a social event or party. It means making a special event happen for people.
They threw a birthday party last night.
We will throw a big party soon.
Throw can describe a person or animal being suddenly sent off their position, often by accident or force. It usually means to be pushed or fall off suddenly.
The horse threw the rider off.
He was thrown from the bike quickly.
Throw can mean to send or spread light or shadow over an area. It describes how light or shadow moves or spreads out.
The lamp throws light across the room.
The moon throws a pale glow at night.
In some English varieties, a throw can mean a sudden pain or spasm in muscles, often the back. It is a medical or health meaning used as a noun.
He had a throw in his back.
A bad throw stopped her movement.
A throw can be a small blanket or cloth that you put over chairs or sofas to decorate or keep warm. It is a noun meaning a covering.
She bought a colorful throw for the sofa.
The throw on the bed is soft.
